Congo Joins Angola-Led Peace Talks with M23 Rebels

The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to participate in peace talks in Angola with the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group on March 18, a significant shift in President Felix Tshisekedi's previously firm stance against direct negotiations. This decision follows a series of military defeats for the Congolese government and increasing pressure from regional dynamics, as M23 has seized critical areas in eastern Congo, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 7 million people. Angola is mediating the talks, hoping to establish a lasting ceasefire and address the underlying tensions rooted in historical conflicts and competition for mineral resources. M23 has outlined conditions for the negotiations, including a public commitment from Tshisekedi to engage with them directly. The international community, including the United States, is closely monitoring these developments as they could impact regional stability. The situation remains dire, with reports indicating thousands of casualties since the conflict escalated earlier this year.